April has been busy. This past week, a contingency of CalTrout staff, myself included, traveled to Santa Cruz for the annual Salmonid Restoration Federation conference. This was the first in-person conference in two years, and it was energizing to gather with our fish community to learn, share, collaborate and build relationships. It left me feeling inspired by our staff and their work, and proud of the partnerships we have created.
While there, we learned that our petition to list Southern California steelhead as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act was successful. The California Fish & Game Commission announced that the species may warrant listing, and they will now perform a yearlong scientific review of the species to aid them in this decision. This is a tremendous victory for CalTrout, and I am proud of our hard-working, passionate staff and supporters for making this victory a reality. These fish need our help. Listing them will create capacity for restoration projects that will benefit not only the fish but the human communities around them.
This month has also brought its battles. Along with our partners on the Two-Basin Partnership, we notified PG&E of our intent to sue to minimize harm to federally-protected salmon and steelhead along the Eel River until the Eel River Dams are removed. The harm caused to fish by these two obsolete PG&E-owned dams is a violation of the federal Endangered Species Act. These fish deserve protection, and CalTrout is using our voice to keep those who stand in the way of healthy fish and water, accountable. We hope for an outcome that supports healthy fish and a resilient California.
As always, thank you for your support as we act for fish, water, and people.
Best,
Thank you for your interest in the Eel River Forum! We looking forward to sharing meeting updates and other info from the Eel River watershed with you as they develop.
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Thank you for your interest in Big Chico Creek and the Iron Canyon Fish Passage Project! We looking forward to sharing project updates, news, and stories with you from the Big Chico Creek watershed as they develop.
Thank you for your interest in Big Chico Creek and the Iron Canyon Fish Passage Project! One of our staff members will do their best to get back to you as soon as possible. However, please note that due to limited capacity we may not be able to respond to all questions or fulfill all requests.
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Thank you for your interest in the Elk River! One of our North Coast Region staff members will do their best to get back to you as soon as possible. However, please note that due to limited capacity we may not be able to respond to all questions or fulfill all requests.
Peter Moyle is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology and Associate Director of the Center for Watershed Sciences, at UC Davis. He is author or co-author of more than 240 publications, including the definitive Inland Fishes of California (2002). He is co-author of the 2017 book, Floodplains: Processes and Management for Ecosystem Services. His research interests include conservation of aquatic species, habitats, and ecosystems, including salmon; ecology of fishes of the San Francisco Estuary; ecology of California stream fishes; impact of introduced aquatic organisms; and use of floodplains by fish.
Robert Lusardi is the California Trout/UC Davis Wild and Coldwater Fish Researcher focused on establishing the basis for long-term science specific to California Trout’s wild and coldwater fish initiatives. His work bridges the widening gap between academic science and applied conservation policy, ensuring that rapidly developing science informs conservation projects throughout California. Dr. Lusardi resides at the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences and works closely with Dr. Peter Moyle on numerous projects to help inform California Trout conservation policy. His recent research interests include Coho salmon on the Shasta River, the ecology of volcanic spring-fed rivers, inland trout conservation and management, and policy implications of trap and haul programs for anadromous fishes in California.
Patrick Samuel is the Conservation Program Coordinator for California Trout, a position he has held for almost two years, where he coordinates special research projects for California Trout, including the State of the Salmonids report. Prior to joining CalTrout, he worked with the Fisheries Leadership & Sustainability Forum, a non-profit that supports the eight federal regional fishery management councils around the country. Patrick got his start in fisheries as an undergraduate intern with NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources Division in Sacramento, and in his first field job as a crew member of the California Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Wild and Heritage Trout Program.